Greece recorded the highest share of cross-border service imports in the European Union in 2024, according to new data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Greece’s service imports relied heavily on services delivered directly from abroad, with cross-border supply accounting for 68.8% of total imports from non-EU countries, the highest level among EU member states.
Across the European Union, countries imported €3,471 billion ($4,096.8 billion) worth of services from outside the bloc in 2024. Eurostat data on international trade in services, measured by modes of supply, show that most EU countries favored commercial presence, known as mode 3. This channel accounted for 58.9% of total imports, equal to €2,044 billion ($2,411.9 billion).
Cross-border supply, or mode 1, ranked second at the EU level. It represented 31.3% of imports, valued at €1,087 billion ($1,282.7 billion). Consumption abroad, known as mode 2, made up 6.6% or €229 billion ($270.2 billion). The presence of natural persons, or mode 4, accounted for 3.2%, totaling €111 billion ($131.0 billion).
Greece’s service imports stand out as the highest in the EU
While commercial presence dominated in 22 EU countries, Greece followed a different path. Cross-border supply was the primary channel for service imports into the country, far exceeding the EU average.
Eurostat analysts explained that this mode involves services delivered from one country directly into another without the supplier establishing a local operation.
Other countries with relatively high shares of cross-border service imports included Cyprus at 43.8%, Sweden at 37.7% and Denmark at 37.4%. Still, none matched Greece’s level.
Commercial presence remained especially strong in Bulgaria, Hungary and Spain, where more than three-quarters of service imports arrived through foreign-owned affiliates operating locally.
Role of consumption abroad and natural persons remains limited
Consumption abroad played a notable role in Denmark, where it accounted for 22.3% of service imports. France, Lithuania, Croatia and Italy also recorded shares above 10%. In most other EU countries, this mode remained limited.
The presence of natural persons had the smallest role overall. Cyprus and Denmark each reported a 7.3% share, followed by Belgium at 5.4%.
Eurostat noted that mode 3 import figures for 2024 were estimated using a joint Eurostat and World Trade Organization (WTO) model, supported by foreign affiliate data from 2023 and expert assessments where information was missing.
The figures underline how Greece’s service imports stand apart, placing the country at the top of the EU for cross-border service trade.